#(i got a maintenance to wait out aka time to make random edits)

[abyssmalice]

@boomania

[snowcapgirl-blog]

Meet Halela5th

Though she produces content for a number publications I know her as the author of just about all of my favorite articles on the blog ’Tracy’s New York City Life’.  Lauren has spent the past six years falling in love with the City that acts as the playground for the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw and is often written with a capital C.

Cheeky, global citizen who has a way with words. Besides being a writer and blogger in New York City (not that I am jealous or anything!) Lauren aka Mala is a truly talented writer. Okay, so perhaps I am a little bit jealous. On a random off the topic side note, her favorite date was with a fireman at an Irish pub (Irish Pub Baker Street). Not that I have the slightest idea where this pub is located, but hey, it was with a fireman so I can’t really say that I care. On top of all this, she lives a block from this hamburger joint called Shake Shack… So I think that a healthy dose of jealousy is completely justified.

Having said this, of course I sent her an email saying how much I loved her work, then I hit her up on DM on Instagram - because as Gary Vee puts it ”It’s going down on the DM!” - and I got to know the Hawaiian girl who once used to call London home before moving to New York. 

What is your single favorite thing about living in New York City?

— The diversity. Although "this is America" I love how there's people from several different countries, who speak several different languages, walking along the sidewalks of NYC at any given moment. Being from a multi-cultural background (Tongan/Chinese, and born in Hawaii), I've always loved meeting people from around the world and learning from them. When you live in such a culturally diverse environment, it feels like you have the whole world at your fingertips.

How many publications do you write for exactly?

— It varies, but my main "day job" is as a writer and the national marketing director for Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine. Since it's a print publication sold worldwide, it takes up a lot of my time now. Along with that, I have about three or four regular blogs and brands that I write and edit for as well, whether it's articles or marketing materials.

What does a regular day look like for a New York City writer?

— This past Tuesday was pretty normal and low-key, which I love. I'm a night owl and don't usually go to bed before 3am, so my editor-in-chief woke me up with a phone call at 10am. We spoke for about an hour, brainstorming and figuring out my next few projects, and then I made my to-do list for the day.

I’d honestly NEVER get anything done if I didn't spend a few minutes each day making a to-do list, prioritizing all my tasks, and then referring back every few hours to make sure I didn't miss anything.

The next two hours were spent working on a last-minute copywriting project for the magazine's website. Around 1pm, I went out for a quick walk around the block so I could pick up a sparkling water and matcha green tea latte from Whole Foods (I love my apartment's location). After that, I worked on some social media scheduling for the magazine, caught up on client emails, organized some editorial submissions, and then I took a break to see if a pregnant giraffe on live camera had given birth yet. Is anyone in Europe watching this, or is it just an American thing? It's consuming my whole freakin' life. Anyways…

My last big project of the day was another copywriting/editing deadline for a beauty client, which I finished around 8pm. At this point, my brain was fried so I decided to splurge with a trip to Shake Shack - a total obsession of mine. I swear, it's dangerous living only a block away.

I spent the rest of the evening listening to demos from a few recording studios (I moved to NYC for my music career, so I've been looking for the right studio to record my next track), catching up on random household chores, watching a couple episodes of BBC's Victoria, and getting in a 1am workout before showering and going to bed.

Any sources of inspiration you could share?

— I have lots! Personal development is an important area for me, so I'm always looking for new mentors. One of my favorites is Chalene Johnson, who I've been learning from for the past six years. She's an amazing entrepreneur, mentor, and motivational speaker. Then, for music, I have a whole list of artists and composers who inspire me, from Gladys Knight to James Horner.

The best date you have been on in NYC?

— I’d say one of my favorites was just a low-key first date at Baker Street - an Irish pub, and my favorite local watering hole. I'm friends with the staff, so I wasn't too nervous, and the guy was really cool. He was a fireman (enough said, right?) and had no ego or sense of entitlement - something I encounter a LOT in Manhattan. Even though NYC is the perfect place for lavish, over-the-top wining and dining, I'm a lot more low-maintenance when it comes to dating. Several rounds of drinks and hours of laid-back laughter with a member of the FDNY was more than good enough for me!

  7 random facts about Lauren

Listen to when writing: I can't listen to music when I'm writing, or I'll ditch my deadlines to go work on a new song. I usually keep reruns of my favorite sitcoms running in the background like The Golden Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Living Single.

Favorite street in NYC is: Madison Avenue

Siblings: Is the youngest of five, has 5 older brothers

Drink at the Irish pub Baker street - I always stick with vodka sodas

Orders at Shake Shack: A Shack burger, fries, and a black and white cookie frozen concrete

What pick-up line would not have you running - Don't think any pickup line has actually worked on me, haha. I prefer guys to just casually start chatting.

Worst line you have ever heard: Yo baby - oh wait, I'm sorry - HOLA, MAMI!" (He assumed I was Puerto Rican.)

Curious to find out more? Check out her website : https://halela5th.com And to listen to Lauren's music click here.

After having been cursed with the wrong flatmate Lauren recently left NYC and is currently living in Seattle, the city of amazing seafood. But NYC, she’ll be back!